Automatic washer



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AUTOMATIC WASHER Filed June 1, 1964 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 May 3, 1966 c. J.KNERR 3,248,909

AUTOMATIC WASHER Filed June 1, 1964 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 SNl/BBER v SNUBBERy 3, 1966 c. J. KNERR 3,248,909

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33 XML R Q y 1956 c. J. KNERR 3,248,909

AUTOMATIC WASHER Filed June 1, 1964 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 PRO am MMER i l i il MASS/0N TRA NS United States Patent 3,248,909 AUTOMATIC WASHER Carl J.Knerr, Herr-in, Ill., assignor to Borg-Warner Corporation, Chicago,111., a corporation of Illinois Filed June 1,' 1964, Ser. No. 371,245 8Claims. (Cl. 68-12) This invention relates to operation of a washingmachine and more particularly to the controls in such a washing machine.

In the normal operation of an automatic washer, wringers are notpractical for the purpose of removing wash or rinse liquids from theclothes. Thus, liquid removal is accomplished by spinning the clothes athigh speed. For this purpose, the clothes are carried in a containerwhich is spun. Before spinning is initiated, however, the liquid levelmust be lowered so that liquid is not flushed over the sides of themachine. In addition, the drag on the container resulting from rotatingit in a liquid can overload the spin motor.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide asafety control which insures that spin operation is initiated only afterthe liquid level in the machine is lowered to a predetermined levelregardless of the tub liquid level when spin instructions are fed to thewasher control system. While not so limited, this invention findsparticular applicability in an automatic washer having a controlresponsive to a programmer to initiate respective wash and spin cyclesof operation and which receives clothes in a basket surrounded by a tuband filled to a selected level with water for washing or rinsing theclothes, the control circuit operating to effect lowering of the Waterto a level below the basket bottom before the clothes and basket arespun.

Along the lines of the above, it is an object of the present inventionto engage the normal spin drive means in a washing machine only afterthe liquid removal means has lowered the liquid level below the bottomof the basket, regardless of what the level was at the time liquidremoval was begun, to permit spin operation without ejecting liquid fromthe machine or overloading the spin motor. It is a correlative object ofthe present invention to provide an automatically operating safetycontrol insuring pump out or drain of liquid before spin operation isinitiated.

It is a detailed object in accordance with the above to provide a safetycontrol which insures that a liquid level sensor is actuated to indicatea high liquid level regardless of the actual liquid level in the tubwhen spin instructions are fed to the control circuit to insure removalof liquid before spin operation of the basket is etfected.

It is a related object of the present invention to provide a safetycontrol of the "above type, which also insures that if the washerprogrammer is first moved to a spin cycle as described with the tub onlypartially filled with liquid, and then returned to the wash cycle,agitation of the clothes is permitted only after the tub is filled tothe selected level so as to prevent agitation of the clothes with aninadequate supply of liquid.

It is an overall object of the present invention to provide a safetycontrol for the spin operation of a Washing machine which senses andresponds to the liquid level in the washing machine to effect spinningafter the liquid level reaches a predetermined low point, and beingadaptable to standard washing machines as well as economical tomanufacture and easy to maintain.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become moreclearly understood from the description of the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective of an automatic washing machine embodying thepresent invention;

I 3,248,999 Patented May 3, 1966 ICC FIGURE 2 is a sectional elevationtaken along 2--2 in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a plan View of the washing machine base assembly, takenalong line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional elevation of a washing machine pumptaken along 44 in FIG- URE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view of the drive mechanism of thewashing machine;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of a clutch assembly of the drive mechanism ofFIGURE 5, said view being taken along 66 in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of a brake assembly of the drive mechanism ofFIGURE 5, said view being taken along 77 in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view of a control for the clutch assembly shownin FIGURE 6, said view being taken along 88 in FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a plan view of a combination water level pressure and clutchcontrol switch;

FIGURE 10 is an elevational view of the pressure switch of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view of the pressure switch taken along 11-11in FIGURE 10;

FIGURE 12 is a diagrammatic showing of the liquid flow and controlsystem, including respective fill, recirculation and drainage flow linesin the washing machine;

FIGURE 13 is a diagrammatic showing of the liquid level sensing andpneumatic clutch control arrangement;

FIGURE 14 is a perspective of a washing machine backguard includingprogramming and liquid level controls;

FIGURE 15 is an elevation of the programming control indicatingdifferent operations of two cycles of the washing machine;

FIGURE 16 is a schematic of the washing machine control circuit;

FIGURE 17 is a cam sequence chart illustrating the cycles of operationof the automatic washing machine of FIGURES 1-16, inclusive; and

FIGURE 18 is a simplified illustration in diagrammatic form of thecontrol circuit and operative units in the automatic washer of FIGURES1-16.

GENERAL Referring now to the drawings, shown in FIG. 1 is an automaticwasher 10 in which the present invention finds particular applicability.The automatic washer 10 includes an outer cabinet 11 having a top 12hingedly supporting a loading and unloading door 14 and carrying abackguard 15 on which are mounted controls for the washing machine. Asbest shown in FIG. 2, a tub 16 having an annular cover 16a is providedinside the cabinet 11 having a bottom 17 and a top opening 18 beneaththe door 14. Forming a container for clothes or other articles to bewashed is a perforate basket 19 having a bottom 20, top opening 20a andsides 21 mounted on a vertically disposed center post 22 inside the tub16.

Relative rotation between the tub and basket is permitted. In thepresent instance this is achieved by fastening the bottom 20 of thebasket to a center post base 24 using screws 25 (one of which is shown).The center post base 24 is anchored to a spin hub 26 which is rotataablyjournalled in a bearing assembly 28 mounted in the tub bottom 17.

For feeding water into the tub to wash or rinse the clothes, a fiume 29is provided mounted in the tub cover 16a (opening 18). The fiume isconnected by a hose and conduit 30 to a water input control valve 31(see FIG. 12). In the illustrative embodiment the level of water is sureswitch control for providing a selected level of liquid in the tub isdiscussed in further detail subsequently, it is here noted that theselector control 34 can be moved to one of three positions, low, medium,or high for providing these relative levels of liquid in the tub (seeFIGS. 1 and 9).

To agitate the clothes during washing or rinsing, the basket 19 is heldstationary while an agitator 36 having a plurality of vanes 38 and askirt 39 is oscillated to and fro. The agitator has a central opening 40for receiving the center post 22 and is rotatably supported thereon. Thecenter post remains stationary while the agitator oscillates.

After the tub has been filled to the level selected by control 34, awash cycle of operation begins. At this time reversible oscillatorydrive is transmitted to agitator 36 from a motor 41 through a firstdrive train including a lower drive assembly 42, a transmission 44 andan agitator drive shaft 45 (see FIG. 2). In the exemplary embodiment,the drive shaft 45 extends centrally through the hollow center post 22and carries a drive block 46 at its upper end. The upper end of theagitator central opening 40 is formed to engage the drive block 46 sothat the two structures turn as a unit. For maintaining the agitatorseated on the drive block, a cap 48 is threaded on a stud 49 extendingfrom the upper end of the drive block 46.

After the wash cycle is completed, wash water is pumped out of themachine and the basket 19 is spun at a relatively high speed to extractwash water from the clothes. The side walls 21 of the basket areperforated so that the water is expelled therethrough. Describing asecond drive train for effecting spin rotation of the basket 19, thelower drive assembly 42 is constructed so as to rotate the transmission44 as a unit including a transmission housing 50. The housing 50 iscoupled to the spin hub 26 which supports the center post 22 and basket19. Accordingly, spinning of the transmission effects rotation of thebasket 19.

First and second drive trains Turning to the respective drive trains inthe illustrative washing machine in more detail, the motor 41 is mountedin inverted fashion on a base plate 51 extending across the bottom ofthe washing machine 10 (see FIGS. 2, 3). The motor has a drive shaftwhich extends below the mounting plate 51 and carries a drive pulleywhich is coupled by a belt 52, in the present instance, a V-drive belt,to a pair of driven pulleys 54, 55, one pulley 54 coupled to drive thelower drive assembly 42 and the other pulley 55 coupled to drive a twinimpeller pump 56. As is explained subsequently, pump 56 operatesselectively as a recirculation pump or as a drain pump. Each of thedriven pulleys are disposed below the base plate 51 while the drivenmechanisms, the lower drive assembly 42 and the pump 56, are mountedatop the base plate 51. The driven pulley 54 is suitably fastened, inthe present instance by a spline and key fit (see FIG. 5), to a maindrive shaft 58 extending upwardly from the pulley 54- through the lowerdrive assembly 42. The upper end of shaft 58 is coupled via anoverrunning or one-way spring clutch 59 to a transmission including adrive pinion 60. The transmission is shown and described in Gerhardt etal. US. Patent No. 2,807,951, assigned to Borg-Warner Corporation. Theone-way spring clutch 59 provides drive to the transmission drive pinion60 to transmit an oscillatory drive to the agitator during forwardrotation of drive shaft 58, while disconnecting drive to pinion 60during reverse rotation of shaft 58. Accordingly, to effect oscillationof the agitator, the drive shaft 58, as a part of the first drive train,is rotated in a forward direction thereby operating the one-way clutch59 so that the gear train i in the transmission 44 effects oscillationof agitator drive shaft 45.

Brake As described, the basket 19 is rotatable with respect to the tub16. It is, however, undesirable during the agitation cycle to have thebasket freely moving. On the other hand, washer operation is smoothedand motor strain is reduced by permitting slight movement of the basketat the point where the agitator reverses direction in its oscillatoryoperation. In addition, following high speed spin of the basket,structure must be provided to slow down the basket. Thus, the seconddrive train includes a brake assembly 64 to retard movement of thetransmission housing and thereby the basket 19 during agitation (seeFIGS. 5, 7). The brake assembly and its operation are the subject ofco-pending application of Clarence M. Overturf and Richard L. Conrath,Serial No. 371,347, filed June 1, 1964. As explained, agitation drive isthrough the first drive train. The brake assembly 64 includes a brakehub 69 suitably fastened, in the present instance by a clamp 70, to abasket tube 71 coaxial with drive shaft 58 and rotatably held withrespect thereto by a bearing 72. A hub 73 is cast on the upper end ofthe basket tube 71. The hub 73 is mounted on the lower end of thetransmission housing 50. Accordingly, the tube 71 and the transmissionhousing 50 operate as a unit, thus by holding the tube 71 stationary thetransmission housing and basket are held against rotation.

To retard basket rotation, the brake hub 69 is surrounded by a brakelining 74 which is tightly held against the hub by a brake band 75, inthe present instance constructed of spring steel. As shown in FIG. 7,braking is effected by selectively holding the brake hand againstrotation by engaging it with a brake latch 76. For this purpose thebrake band has an integral tang 78 engaging a projecting finger 79 onthe latch 76. The latter is pivotally mounted on a brake latch pedestal80 depending from a support bracket 81. The bracket 81 is mounted on asuspension tube 82 which is supported in a bearing 83 carried in thebrake hub 69.

The brake latch 76 is normally biased so that the finger 79 engages thebrake band tang 78. To this end, a biasing spring 86 is carried by thebrake bracket to pivot latch 76 about pedestal 80. The illustratedstructure permits engagement of the brake during rotation of the brakeband 75, and therewith basket 19, in either the forward or reversedirections. To engage the brake during forward rotation of the driveshaft, the agitate direction, the brake band tang 78 is received in alatch recess 79a partially formed by a side of projecting latch finger79. The provision of a recess 79a assures the holding of the brake band75 and thereby retarding basket 19 against rotation in either direction.To engage the brake in the reverse direction of rotation of the brakeband, necessary during high speed spin of the basket, face 78a of tang78 is engaged with face 7% of finger 79. The particular problem ofengagement of the two faces at high speeds without throwing the latch,is solved, in the illustrative embodiment, by undercutting face 78a. Asshown in the drawings, the face 7% of the finger receives a component offorce acting substantially in line with the latch pivot point atpedestal 89. Concentrating the point of impact by using an undercut tangface 78a substantially eliminates components of force acting to pivotlatch 7 6 about pedestal 80 and throwing the latch so that the tang isnot engaged.

Free rotation of the brake hub and appended structure, i.e. transmissionhousing and basket, is permitted by disengaging the latch 76 and thebrake band 75. For this purpose a solenoid 84 has an armature 85 linkedby a. hook 86a to the brake latch 76 to act against the spring biasingforce. Thus, when it is desired to spin the basket, the transmissionhousing is freed for rotation by energizing the brake solenoid 84 andreleasing the brake 64.

Supporting the tub is an inverted generally frustoconical shaped support16b tapering down from the peripheral edge of the tub bottom to thebracket 81 and suspension tube 82 (FIG. 2). To permit limited movementor tipping of the tub, basket and drive mechanism from a vertical axiscaused by unbalanced washer loads, yet to dampen any vibration, thebracket 81 is snubbed by a set of four damping assemblies which, in thepresent instance, connect the bracket holding the tub support 16b to therespective four corners of the base plate 51. Details of the snubber ordamping assembly structures do not comprise any part of the presentinvention and thus are not described in detail herein but the structureand its efifectiveness in smoothing machine operation are described inthe Gerhardt et al. US. patent, supra.

Clutch To initiate spin rotation of basket 19, the drive shaft 58 isrotated in the reverse direction and, as a part of the second drivetrain, is drivingly coupled to rotate the transmission housing 50 andspin basket 19. In the present instance coupling is effected byengagement of a clutch 87 (see FIG. 5). The clutch structure and itsoperation are the subject of a co-pending application of Robert Beare,Serial No. 371,312, filed June 1, 1964. The preferred embodiment of theclutch 87 is of the overrunning or one-way type and transmits drive froma lower drive hub 88 to the brake hub 69. As has been explained, thebrake hub is coupled to the transmission housing 50 through the baskettube 71. The lower drive hub 88 is spline-fitted on the main drive shaft58 and held thereon by, for example, a set screw (not shown). The clutch87 includes a lower drive column 89 and an upper driven column 90. Thelower drive column 89 is an integral extension of the lower drive hub88. The upper driven column is a depending extension of the brake hub69. The ends of the two columns abut opposite sides of a hearing 91which permits relative rotation therebetween. A clutch spring 92 hasrespective upper and lower portions 92a, 92b which extend over therespective ends of the upper driven column and the lower drive column.

The clutch spring 92 is of the coil type and surrounds the respectivecircular drive transmitting columns. Rotation of the lower drive column89 in one direction causes the clutch spring 90 to tighten and wraparound both columns. This effects transmission of drive from the lowercolumn 89 to the upper column 90. Rotation of the lower drive column 89in the opposite direction uncoils or loosens the spring so that drive isnot transmitted to the upper column 90.

Selective driving in the wrap around or drive direction is eifected, inthe exemplary embodiment, by using a clutch shield 93 extending aboutthe spring 92 and holds an end 920 of the lower spring portion 92b (seeFIG. 5). The sleeve 93 and spring 92 are selectively retarded againstrotation, as shown in FIG. 6, by providing on the upper end of shield 93a plurality of projecting ears 93a engageable by a clutch pawl 94. Thepawl 94 is biased by a spring 95 so that a projecting finger 96 canengage one of the ears 93a. The result is that even though the spring 92fits snugly about the lower drive shaft or column 89 it can be heldstationary during rotation in a direction which would otherwise tightenthe spring and effect drive from column 89 to column 90, therebypermitting precise, selective spin drive of the basket 19.

To engage the clutch spring 92, the shield 93 is released and the springis permitted to wrap around the respective drive and driven columns 39,90. It is, of course, understood that the driven column must be roratingin the proper direction to effect tightening of the spring about therespective columns (see FIG. 3). The pawl 94 is disengaged in thepresent instance by energizing a solenoid 98 which has an armature 99connected by linkage assembly 100 to the clutch pawl and pivots thelatter against the force of the biasing spring 95.

The motor 41 is reversible to rotate pump 55 and main dnive shaft 58 ineither direction. The motor has a start winding 41a and a pair of runwindings 41b, 410 (see FIG. 16). Direction of rotation is determined bythe relative polarity between the start and run windings, i.e. simply byreversing the relative polarity rotation of the motor is reversed. Onlyone run winding is used at a time, energization of winding 41b givesnormal speed operation while winding 41c gives slow speed operation.

Energization of the motor winding is controlled by a control circuit 101in response to operation of a progranuner in the present instance, atimer or sequential controller 102 (FIG. 18). As shall be explained indebail subsequently, timer 102 instructs circuit 101 by operatingappropriate switches therein to control the washer operations asexemplarily set out on timer diiazl 102a, i.e. wash and extraction, thelatter including respective rinse and spin dry cycles.

Upon receiving wash or agitate instructions the control circuit 101effects motor rotation in a forward direction to rotate the shaft 58 andthereby drive the transmission geiar train through the one-way clutch 59to oscillate the agitator 36.

In response to spin instructions the control circuit 101 reverses thedirection or motor rotation. As explained, the transmission one-wayclutch 59 is inoperative in the reverse direction of motor rotation,thus oscillatory drive is not transmitted to the agitator. The controlcircuit first energizes brake solenoid 84 to release brake 64 permittingfree movement of the basket 19 and housing 50. Subsequently, uponoperation of liquid level sensor switch 35, as explained in a latterpart of the specification, the circuit energizes the clutch solenoid 98to engage clutch 87 so that a drive connection is completed for rotatingthe transmission housing and spinning the basket 19.

Pump

To recirculate water during the washing operation and to drain waterprior to the spinning operation, the pump 56 is provided (see FIG. 4).This is a dual impeller pump having an upper impeller 103 and a lowerimpeller 104. The impellers are carried on a common shaft 55a the 'lowerend of which holds the pulley 55 coupled to the motor by V-belt 52. Inone direction of rotation the upper impeller reciroulates water via asystem 105 and in the opposite direction of rotation the lower impeller104 drains Water through a system 106.

The respective recirculation and drainage systems 105, 106 are bestshown in FIG. 12. A hose 107 couples the recirculation impeller 103 tothe lower part of the side of tub 16. The connection is just above thebottom of the tub so that soil, pebbles, and like materials are notrecirculated. An output hose 108 returns the water to the tub 16 througha fiume 108a located adjacent the tub' top (see FIG. 2).

To remove or drain liquid from the tub, control circuit 101 initiatesreverse rotation of the motor to effect liquid pumping operation ofdrain impeller 104. A hose 109 couples the drain impeller to a sump 110at the bottom of tub 16 to draw water out. The wash or rinse water isforced out by the lower impeller into a drain hose 111 and carried to anappropriate drain connection (not shown).

During forward rotation of pump pulley 55 and while upper impeller 103is recirculating water in the tub, the lower impeller 104 is acting soas to draw air through hose 111. As preferably constructed the lowerimpeller 104 will not draw liquid from the sump 110 during forwardrotation of pump pulley 56.

In the opposite direction of pump pulley rotation, reverse direction asoccurs during spin operation of the washer and while lower impeller 104is removing water from the tub, the upper impeller 103 is drawing airthrough hose 108. In the preferred embodiment, the upper impeller willnot draw liquid from tub 16 during 7 reverse rotation of pump pulley 56.The pump is described in further detail in Pinder, US. Patent No.2,938,- 130, issued May 9, 1961.

Control circuit As noted, the overall operation of the washing machineis controlled by the programmer 102 instructing a control circuit 101.The programmer is a time-motor TM operated unit which closes and opensrespective contacts in timed sequence so as to elfect specificoperations in the control circuit. The timer structure is explained infurther detail in copending application of Carl J. Knerr, Serial No.254,640, filed Jan. 29, 1963. In order to facilitate understanding ofthe programmer and control circuit a simplified diagram of the controlsystem and coupled mechanical structure is presented in FIG. 18.

The timer sequence chart of FIG. 17 illustrates the contacts of switchesthat are opened and closed at any given position of timer operation. Toestablish exactly the electrical components functioning at any giventime during specific cycles of machine operation, it is only necessaryto establish which sequences are of interest and then to identify theswitches that are closed as represented by the dark squares on the timersequence chart. Each individual energizing circuit, during a givenperiod, may thus be identified by using the timer sequence chart andreferring to the switches in the electrical circuit schematic in FIG.16.

Turning to the control circuit 101 and FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, it effectsoperation of the mechanical units of the washer in automatic sequencethrough a cycle of operation as set forth in the chart of FIG. 17. Asource of electrical. power represented by the term line between a pairof conductors C1, C2 energizes the circuit when contacts PPS of amanually operable push-pull switch 112 are closed. To provide anemergency stop when the machine top door 14 is opened, a door actuatedswitch having contacts DSW is provided. This is necessary during highspeed spinning of basket 19 to prevent the person opening the door frombeing injured. The brake solenoid 84 is immediately deenergized toeffect braking and the clutch solenoid 98 is deenergized to disconnectspin drive of the basket. It is desirable, however, during the wash andrinse operations of the machine cycle that access be permitted to thetub and basket without stopping the machine. Thus a set of door by-passswitch contacts SW1 are provided and, as shown in the chart of FIG. 17,these are closed during the wash and agitate operations of the machine.

The programmer 102 initially prepares the circuit 101 for feeding waterinto tub 16. The desired temperature of the wash water is selected byoperating a knob 114 which controls a set of switch contacts WSW. Theswitch contacts can be moved to either of the following positions: whereonly a hot water valve solenoid 115 is energized; where only a coldwater valve solenoid 116 is energized; or where both solenoids 115, 116are energized to feed warm water into the tub. The respective hot andcold water valves are contained in the main water valve which is therebycoupled to the circuit so that water input to the tub can be controlled,either turning it on or turning it off. The energizing circuit for thewater valve solenoids includes a contact assembly PSW of pressure switch35, specifically a contact PSWa, and a pair of timer-operated switchesSW1 and SW4, the latter having contacts a and b to provide selectiveisolation of the hot water supply during rinse operation of the machine(C1-SW1-PSWa-SW2-WSWSW4a-115 or 116PPS C2). The pressure switch 35remains on contact a until the water level in the tub is high enough toapply a pressure to the switch and put the switch on contact [2. Thisdeenergizes the water valve solenoids to close the valves and shut offthe water flow. The details of the pressure switch are given later.

The motor windings 41a, 41b, 410 are selectively coupled to theenergization source by the control circuit 101. The motor is rotated inthe forward direction to effect agitation and recirculation in themachine when the pressure switch moves to contact PSWb. Explaining themotor energizing circuit, the timer instructs the closing of a switchcontact SW7. A contact SW30 is normally closed and connected by aconductor C3 to the motor run winding 41b. The motor run windingenergizing circuit includes (C1SW1PSWbSW7SW8a-C3- 41b-PPS-C2). Forenergizing the start winding 41a, a pair of respective contacts SW10aand SWlla are normally closed. Contact SW10a is connected into the C1side of circuit 101 by a conductor C4 and through a normally closedswitch SW9 to start winding 41a. The winding 41a is connected to the C2side of circuit 101 via a conductor C5, switch contact SWlila and aconductor C6 and the switch PPS (Cl-SWl-PSWb-SW7-SW8a-SW10a-SW9-41a-C5-SW11aC6-PPSC2). The switch SW9 is responsive to motorspeed, i.e. centrifugal switch, deenergizing the start winding when themotor reaches a predetermined speed. Switch contacts SWSa, SWSb are partof a motor speed selector 122. By operating speed selector 122 to closecontact SW81) winding 410 is energized and a slow speed motor operationduring the wash cycle can be obtained.

The timer motor TM powering the timer 102 is energized through anormally closed contact SW6a (C1SW1 PSWbSW6a-TMPPSC2) Turning to thechart in FIG. 17, it is noted that in the exemplary regular cycle ofoperation, during the wash cycle the control circuit switch contactsSW1, SW2, SW4a, SW6a, SW7, SW10a and SW11a are closed. In the presentinstance the timer 102 maintains a wash cycle for 10 minutes. At the endof the cycle contacts SW2, SW7, SW10a are opened. There is a pause of 1minute permitting the motor to decelerate and stop before it isenergized for reverse rotation.

To reverse the motor, the timer closes contacts SW12, SW10b, SWllb. Asis clear from the circuit diagram of FIG. 16, closing of contact SW12completes an energizing circuit for the motor run winding 41b through anormally closed switch contact SW13a (C1DSWSW12 SW13a41bPPS-C2). Theclosing of contacts SW10b and SWllb reverses the phase of the power instart winding 41a as compared to what it was when contacts SW10a andSW11a were closed (C1SW12SW13aC3 C4SW11bC5-41a-SWOSW10b-C6-PPSC2 SwitchSW13 is also a part of the speed selector 112 and either contact SW13acan be closed for normal motor speed operation or contact SW13b can beclosed for slow motor speed operation. This provides a fast and slowdrive to spin basket 19.

Reverse rotation of the motor, effected by the control circuit inresponse to spin instructions from the timer 102, stops recirculationoperation of pump 56 and starts drain operation of impeller 104. Liquidis thereby removed from the tub.

As part of the spin instructions, the timer 102 closes a contact SW14 inthe control circuit 101 to energize brake solenoid 84(C1-DSWSW14-84-PPS-C2). The bypass switch SW1 is open making the switchDSW effec tive to deenergize the circuit 101 should the door be opened.In the energizing circuit for the clutch solenoid 98, contact SW15a isclosed. However, the circuit 101 will not energize the clutch solenoiduntil the pressure switch contact PSWa is closed as well as asub-interval switch SIS (C1DSWPSWaSIS-SW15a 98PPS-C2). The pressureswitch 35 maintains contact PSWb closed and PSWa open until the liquidlevel in the tub is lowered to a predetermined point whereupon contactPSWa is closed. In practice it has been found to be advantageous tolower the liquid below the point at which connector 131 joins sump 110,As a part of a basket acceleration and coast operation explained later,the switch SIS is closed for a short time interval.

Liquid level sensor and control To transmit tub liquid level informationto control circuit 101 a tub liquid level sensor, in the presentinstance a fluid circuit 130, operates switch 35 (see FIG. 13). Becausethe illustrative sensor is of the pressure type a pressure type switch35 is used. It is understood that other liquid level sensors could beutilized. The fluid circuit senses the water level as represented by ahead of water in the tub 16 and transduces this information into apressure in an air pressure tube 132. The latter is coupled to the drainsump 110 at the bottom of the tub by a connector conduit 131. Waterseeking the same level in the fluid circuit 130 as in the tub 16 trapsair in the upper portion of the tube 132 and compresses it.

As best shown in FIGS. 9, and 11, the air tube 132 is connected totransmit the air pressure therein to pressure switch 35 and operatecontacts PSWa and PSWlJ. In the present instance the pressure switchincludes a hubshaped annular body 135 having opposite open ends with acomplementarily shaped and generally concave cover 136 fitted over thelarger of the open ends. A diaphragm 138 of flexible material, forexample rubber, is installed to form a wall between the body 135 andcover 136 and define a pair of separated chambers 139, 146 within thebody-cover enclosure.

The fluid circuit tube 132 is coupled to a fitting 141 carried by thecover 136. Accordingly, air pressure variations in the fluid circuiteffected by changes in the tub water level are applied as a force toflex the diaphragm 138. Responsive to movements of the diaphragm is aswitch mechanism 142 in chamber 140 including a slidable switch block144 operating a movable snap or toggle switch element 145 which closesrespective ones of the pressure switch contacts PSWa, PSWb. The switchblock is biased by a spring assembly 146 to act against the pressureforce applied to diaphragm 138 and transmitted to the block by a plate138a centrally carried by diaphragm 138.

The block 144 and spring assembly 146 are carried in a rearwardlyextending cylindrical portion 148 of the switch body 135, the block 144being biased toward the diaphragm 138 by a spring 149. The rear end ofspring 149 is received in a cap 150 and both fit into the cylindricalopening in rear body portion 148. A lever and screw 151, 151arespectively, act on the cap to maintain a spring force on the block.

Manual selection of spring compression and thereby the pressurenecessary in fluid circuit 136 to actuate switch contacts PSW to closecontact PSWb is made by pivotally positioning lever 151. To this end abracket 152 is mounted on the switch body 135 and a control shaft 153 isrotatably carried between upstanding arms 154, 155. Lever 151 ispivotally supported by arm 155 and shaft 153 carries a cam 156 having acamming surface 156a engaging one end of lever 151 to pivot it and applyor release compressive force on spring 149. The rotatable water levelcontrol 34 is connected to the shaft 153 and, in the present instance,can be manually turned to one position rotating the shaft andcompressing the spring so that the switch does not trip until the tub isfilled to a high level or turned to other respective positions releasingthe spring and thereby adjusting the controls for automatic fill of thetub to medium or low levels, respectively. The screw 151a permitsinitial adjustment of the pres sure switch so that the respective waterlevels at which 10 the switch 35 trips, i.e., low, medium and high,correspond to desired water levels in the tub.

After the movable element in switch 35 is actuated and contact PSWb isclosed in response to the tub filling with liquid to a predeterminedhigh level or point, the contact remains closed until the liquid islowered whereupon the switch resets or returns to contact PSWa. In otherwords, the element 145 is actuated from a first position, contact PSWaclosed, to a second position, PSWb closed and PSWa open, in response toa selected high liquid level in the tub. To provide a substantiallyconstant reset or return pressure corresponding to a predetermined lowliquid level in the tub and sump, the switch block 144 is biased by asecond independently adjustable spring assembly 157. Thus, regardless ofwhat pressure is required to trip the switch and stop liquid input tothe tub, the switch will not return from its second or tripped position,PSWb closed, to its first or reset position, PSWa closed, until thepressure is below a predetermined value corresponding to a predeterminedlow liquid level.

It is clear from the foregoing that in the ordinary operation of thewasher, the liquid level sensor switch 35 is actuated to its secondposition when the tub is filled to the selected level. This occursbefore spin instructions are transmitted to the control circuit 101,indeed before the wash-agitate cycle begins. When the liquid level islowered below a predetermined point, the switch 35 returns or resets toits first position and circuit 101 is ready to engage clutch 87. Assume,however, that the sequential control dial 102a is advanced to the spinposition by a housewife having decided not to wash her clothes duringfilling of the tub and while switch contacts PSW of switch 35 are stillin their first position. As noted, the contacts PSW of switch 35 intheir first position effect spin drive of the basket. This would flushthe liquid out of the tub and overload the motor.

In accordance with the present invention, a safety control is providedto insure that the liquid level in the tub is lowered to a predeterminedlow level before the spin drive to the basket is engaged to preventspinning of the basket when the tub is partially filled with liquid. Asherein illustrated, the safety control includes a supplemental pressurecreating means, exemplified by dashpot 160, to actuate pressure switchcontacts PSW from their first position, maintained during filling of thetub, to their second position, assumed ordinarily when the tub is filledto the selected level. Thus, in effect, the safety control simulates ahigh liquid level condition in tub 16.

As can be seen from the circuits in FIGS. 16 and 18, the respectivefirst and second switch positions are here shown as PSWa and PSWbrespectively. The clutch solenoid cannot be energized until the switchPSW is actuated or" reset and contact b is opened while contact a isclosed. This occurs only after the pressure applied to pressure switch35, including the water level pressure and the supplemental pressure,bleeds down from fluid circuit 130. Bleeding of the air pressure occursas the head of liquid in the tub is lowered by the pump 56. Drainoperation of the pump occurs immediately upon the feeding of spininstructions to circuit 101.

Describing the supplemental pressure creating dashpot 160, as best shownin FIG. 8, it includes a housing 164 and a cover 165 which, assembled,define a pair of enclosures 166, 168 separated by a movable diaphragm169, in the present instance constructed of suitable flexible materialsuch as rubber. To effect operation of the dashpot in response to spininstructions from the programmer, in the illustrative embodiment a shaft170 is slidably received in an end wall of the housing 164 and couplesthe brake solenoid armature 85 to the diaphragm 169. The diaphragm 169has a centrally positioned plate 171 of inflexible mate-rial which theend of shaft 176 acts upon. The diaphragm 169 is biased in a normalposition by the spring 172 in the chamber 168.

Upon energization of the brake solenoid and actuation of the brakesolenoid armature initiated by spin instructions from the programmer,the shaft 170 acts against the diaphragm plate 171 and the biasing forceof spring 172 to move the diaphragm. In the exemplary embodiment air isthereby forced through a conduit 174 coupling the dashpot 160 to thepressure switch 35 and the tube 132 of the fluid circuit 130. Movementof the diaphragm in this direction opens switch contacts PSWa and closescontacts PSWb to simulate tub high liquid level condition. Thus, thepressure impulse effected by operation of the dashpot 160 acts on thediaphragm 138 of pressure switch 35 to set the contact PSW in their highliquid level position.

The above described safety feature is particularly useful if thehousewife advances the timer knob 10251 to spin operation during fillingof the tub, either in the Wash cycle or in the rinse-agitate cycle. Suchadvances of the knob 102a feed spin instructions to the control circuit101 while the pressure switch PSW is still in its first or emptyposition. The circuit would customarily respond by coupling the seconddrive train for spinning the basket while the tub is still partiallyfilled with liquid. The present invention assures that the basket is notspun until the liquid in the tub is lowered to the predetermined lowlevel. The safety control sets the liquid level sensor switch in thetripped or high liquid level position so that the washer proceedsthrough the customary cycle of liquid removal before the spin drive tothe motor is engaged.

If the housewife should change her mind a second time, deciding that shewould like to wash instead of emptying the washer, she may, for example,return the programmer dial 102a from the spin cycle to the wash cycle.However, if there is an inadequate supply of liquid in the tub, it isundesirable to have the clothes agitated.

As another feature of the present invention the safety control insures,that if the programmer is returned to an agitate operation after anadvance of the programmer to a spin operation while the tub is filling,the liquid level sensor is again made operative to fill the tub to theselected liquid level so that agitation of the clothes occurs with anadequate supply of water. In the illustrative embodiment thesupplemental pressure pulse creating means 160 also operates in reverseas a vacuum pulse creating means to operate switch PSW returning it fromcontact PSWb closed, second or filled position, to contact PSWa closed,first or empty position. Explaining the operation of the dashpot 160 asa vacuum pulse creating means, the fluid circuit 130 is divided by :anorifice 161 into a pressure switch portion 130a and a tub portion 1301).The dashpot 160 is connected by conduit 174 into the pressure switchportion 130a of the fluid circuit to effectively act on pressure switchdiaphragm 138.

The brake solenoid 84 is deenergized- When the switch SW14 is opened inresponse to the programmer dial 102a being returned to a wash cycle. Asa result, the brake armature 85 is biased to its normal position byaction of the brake latch spring 86. The dashpot diaphragm spring 172acts on the diaphragm 169 moving it quickly from its actuated positionto its normal position thereby withdrawing or lowering the pressure inthe portion 130a of the fluid circuit 130. The quick reduction or dropin pressure occurs because the volume of fluid circuit portion 130a isrelatively small compared to the evacuating capacity of the dashpot 160.The orifice 161 serves to, in effect, isolate the smaller volumepressure switch portion 130a of the fluid circuit from the larger volumetub portion 130!) of the fluid circuit for purposes of operating thedashpot.

The pressure drop pulse is transmitted from the dashpot 160 to thepressure switch 35 to return the pressure switch diaphragm 138 to itsnormal position and switch contact PSW to its first position, PSWaclosed. The liquid input solenoids 115, 116 are thereafter energized tofeed water into the tub. When the tub is filled to the selected levelthe contact PSWb is closed and the solenoids 115,

116 are deenergized to shut off the water supply. At the same time themotor 41 is operated in the forward or agitate direction, and the washerbegins a regular cycle of operation. It is clear from the foregoing thatthe safety device of the present invention assures proper function ofthe washer even With continued skipping from one washer program toanother, either advancing or retreating.

The terms high liquid level and low liquid level used in describingresponsive movements of switch PSW in sensing liquid level in tub 16 arenot to be confused with marked settings for the water level control 34.The H, M and L settings of the latter identify relative levels to whichthe tub is filled before switch PSW is actuated. Thus, even though therelative tub liquid level may be low because the control is set to L,the switch PSW senses the top of the tub liquid level as a high liquidlevel. The reset bias assembly 157 in the pressure switch 35 assuresthat the same low liquid level trips the switch upon each lowering ofthe liquid level in the tub.

The regular cycle of operation for a washer has been explained up to thepoint where the programmer 102 has instructed control circuit 101 toenergize motor 41 so it rotates in reverse thereby operating pump 56 toremove wash water from the tub 16. The circuit has been prepared toeffect spin rotation of basket 19. That is switch SW14 is closedenergizing brake solenoid 84 and releasing the second drive train fortransmitting drive to the basket, and clutch solenoid switch contactSWlSa is closed. The liquid level sensor switch PSW is in its firstposition with contacts PSWa closed. The timer motor TM has beendeenergized to allow the pump 56 all the time it needs to remove theliquid from tub 16. When the pressure switch resets to its firstposition the timer motor is again energized to operate its associatedcams in programmer 102. At a preset time in the washer cycle, the timeractuates the sub-interval switch SIS, and since contact PSWa is closedthe clutch solenoid is energized and the clutch engaged to spin thebasket.

In order to effect initial suds removal including wash water trapped inthe clothes after the pump 56 has drained the tub, the followingprocedure is followed for spinning the basket and introducing rinseliquid. The structure and procedure is the subject of a copendingapplication of R. Waldrop, Serial No. 371,670, filed June 1, 1964.First, even though switch SWlSa is closed, the clutch solenoid 98 is notenergized until the timer actuated sub-interval switch SIS is closed. Inthe present instance the switch SIS is closed for 15 seconds toaccelerate the basket to a portion of full speed and then coast. Duringthis acceleratron and coast period wash water and suds trapped in theclothes are ejected by centrifugal force.

A switch contact SW16a is closed after the basket has been acceleratedand while it is coasting to operate the water valve solenoids 115, 116and introduce fresh water through valve 31 for one minute into the tubthereby diluting the suds and wash water and preventing sudslock. Thetemperature of a rinse water is selected by adjustment of a rinse waterswitch RSW which operates in the same manner as the wash water switchWSW, previously explained. Preferably only cold water is used in thisrinse operation. As is clear from the sequence chart of FIG. 17, whilethe switch SW16a energizes the water valve solenoids through the rinsewater temperature selector switch RSW and switch contact SW41), themotor is rotating in the reverse direction and, even though the basketis not connected thereto because the clutch solenoid 98 is notenergized, the pump 56 is operating in reverse removing the rinse andwash water from the tub.

The pump operates for the full six minutes of the Initial Suds Removalwasher program period. Be cause the motor is operating at full speed,except when slowed down during the interval engagement of clutch 87, thepump 56 is operating at full capacity. This assures efiicient and quickremoval of sudsy liquid and 13 further aids in preventing suds lock.This empties the tub and prepares the machine for subsequent spinning ofthe basket.

For the last two minutes of the Initial Suds Removal period the basketis spun to force out additional amounts of suds and Wash water after thespray down with fresh water. To effect spinning, as is shown in thechart of FIG. 17, the switch SW14 energizing the brake solenoid isclosed and the brake is released so it is only necessary to engageclutch 87. To energize the clutch solenoid 98 independently ofsub-interval switch SIS, switch SW15 is moved so as to close contact bthereby connecting clutch solenoid 98 across electrical source C1-C2(C1DSW-PSWaSW15b98-PPSC2) After the two minutes spin completing theInitial Suds Removal period, the motor switch SW12 is opened for oneminute to permit the motor to coast to a stop. During this last minutethe rinse water switch contact SW15a is closed thereby operating waterinput control valve 31 and filling the tube with rinse water. The liquidlevel sensor 130 operates switch 35 and closes contact PSWb when therinse water in the tub has reached a level corresponding to that presetby liquid control 34.

Next the timer operates the contacts SW7, SW10, SW11 to energize motor41 for rotation in a forward direction. The first drive train isoperative to oscillate the agitator while the tub is full of rinsewater. As can be seen from the chart of FIG. 17 the brake solenoidswitch SW14, the clutch solenoid switch SW15 are open. Thus thesolenoids are deenergized and the circuit 101 is in the same state as itwas during the wash cycle except that the wash switch contact SW16a isclosed. While the motor is rotating in the forward direction, therecirculation system 105 of pump 56 is operative.

The rinse agitate cycle continues for four minutes whereupon the forwardor agitate direction motor control switch contact SW7 is opened by timer102 deenergizing the motor and stopping the agitator. There is a oneminute pause before the next operation.

As a last step the motor is rotated in reverse by closing motor controlswitch contact SW12 and contacts SWlOb, SWllb. fore.) The liquid removalsystem 106 of pump 56 is put into operation to empty the liquid from tub1s. The brake solenoid 84 is energized by closing contact SW14 releasingthe second drive train for spinning the basket 19. The liquid levelsensor switch 35 is actuated when the tub empties, opening contact PSWband closing contact PSWa, and clutch control switch contact SWlSb isclosed completing a circuit for energizing clutch solenoid 98 andengaging the second drive train. The basket 19 is spun, in theillustrated washer program, for six minutes. During this time the pump56 is operated, the drain system 106 being utilized to remove liquidfrom tub 16.

To permit manual selection of washer programs as set out on the dial102a, a mechanical coupling (not shown) is provided between the controlknob 112 and the dial. Turning the knob effects rotation of the dial toselected programs as shown by legends on the dial 102a.

What is claimed is:

1. In a washing machine the combination comprising a tub for receivingand holding a liquid, a basket rotatably supported in the tub to form acontainer for clothes and like articles to be washed and spun, a sourceof electricity, a circuit energized by said electrical source, meanscoupled to said circuit for feeding liquid into said tub, means coupledto said circuit for sensing the liquid level in said tub, said meansmaintaining a low liquid level position until a high tub liquid level issensed and then assuming a high liquid level position, means coupled tosaid circuit for removing liquid from said tub, a programmer coupled tosaid circuit for transmitting instructions thereto including basket spininstructions, power means controlled by said electrical circuit andcoupled through (The energizing circuit has been described be-- a drivetrain to said basket, means in said drive train selectively engageableby said circuit to elfect spinning of said basket, said circuitefiecting operation of said liquid removal means in response toprogrammer spin instructions to lower said tub liquid level, saidcircuit prepared by said liquid level sensing means in said low liquidlevel position to operate said drive train engaging means to drivinglycouple said power means and basket, and means responsive to programmerspin instructions to actuate said liquid level sensing means to assumesaid high liquid level position when spin instructions are fed to saidcontrol circuit to insure a normal cycle of operation in which saidliquid removal means operates to lower the tub liquid level to saidpredetermined level before the control circuit operates said selectivelyengageable drive train means to spin the basket.

2. In a washing machine, the combination comprising a tub for receivingand holding a liquid, a basket rotatably supported in the tub to form acontainer for clothes and like articles to be washed and spun, a sourceof electricity, a circuit energized by said electrical source, meanscoupled to said circuit for controlling liquid input into said tub,means coupled to said circuit for sensing the liquid level in said tub,said circuit responsive to a predetermined high level of liquid beingsensed in said tub to actuate said liquid input control means and stopliquid input, means coupled to said circuit for removing liquid fromsaid tub, a programmer coupled to said circuit for transmittinginstructions thereto including basket spin instructions, a motorselectively coupled to said electrical source by said circuit, a drivetrain coupling said motor to said basket, a clutch in said drive trainselectively engageable by said circuit to connect said motor to saidbasket to effect spin of the latter, said circuit prepared by saidliquid level means being in said high liquid level position to effectoperation of said liquid removal means in response to programmer spininstructions to lower said tub liquid level, said circuit responding toan indication of a predetermined low liquid level from said levelsensing means to engage said clutch, and means coupled to said liquidsensing means and responsive to programmer spin instructions to actuatesaid liquid level sensing means to said high liquid level position toinsure that said liquid removal means operates to lower said liquidlevel before said circuit responds to said liquid level sensing meansbeing in said predetermined low liquid level position to spin saidbasket.

3. In a washing machine the combination comprising a .tub for receivingand holding a liquid, a basket rotatably supported in the tub andforming a container for clothes and the like, relatively movable meansmounted in said basket for agitating clothes and the like during a washcycle, a motor, first and second drive trains coupling said motor tosaid agitator and basket respectively, an electrical source, a circuitenergized by said electrical source and coupled. to said mot-or toeffect selective driving of said agitator through said first drive trainand said basket through said second drive train, means coupled to saidcircuit for controlling liquid input into said tub, means coupled tosaid circuit for sensing the liquid level in said tub and operablebetween respective tub empty and tub filled positions, said circuitresponsive to said sensing means in said tub filled position to actuatesaid liquid input control means and stop liquid flow, a programmercoupled to automatically transmit wash and spin instructions to saidcircuit in sequence and permitting selective manual operation, saidcircuit responsive to wash instructions from said programmer to energizeSaid motor and efiect operation of said first drive means to drive saidagitator, means coupled to said circuit for removing liquid from saidtub, means in said circuit responsive to said programmer spininstructions to terminate operation of said agitator after apredetermined time lapse and initiate operation of said liquid removalmeans to lower the liquid level in said tub, a clutch in said seconddrive means selectively operable by said circuit to drivingly couplesaid motor and basket, means in said circuit responsive to said liquidlevel sensing means returning to said tub empty position from said tubfilled position to engage said clutch, and safety means coupled to saidliquid level sensing means and responsive to programmer spininstructions to simulate a high liquid level condition in said tub, saidsafety means insuring setting of said liquid. level sensing means insaid tub filled position in response to manual advance of saidprogrammer to the spin mode to effect circuit operation through anordinary cycle requiring lowering of the tub liquid level below apredetermined point prior to spin drive of the basket.

4. In a control system for a washing machine having a tub for receivingand holding a liquid and a basket ro tatably supported in the tub toform a container for clothes or the like, the basket coupled to a motorthrough a drive train including a clutch engageable to spin the basketand extract wash water from clothes or the like, the combinationcomprising a source of electricity, a circuit energized by saidelectrical source, a programmer coupled to said circuit for transmittinginstructions thereto including wash and spin instructions, means coupledto said circuit for feeding liquid into said tub during wash operationof the machine, means communicating with the tub for converting theliquid level therein into proportional pressures, a switch sensingpressure in said converting means and coupled to said circuit through aset of first and second contacts respectively, said first contactactuated in response to a preset low pressure being sensed in saidconverting means and said second contact actuated in response to apreset high pressure being sensed in said converting means, said circuitresponsive during said wash operation to said first contact beingactuated to effect feeding of liquid into said tub and to said secondcontact being actuated to effect stopping of liquid flow into said tub,means coupled to said circuit for removing liquid from said tub, a motorselectively coupled to said electrical source by said circuit, a drivetrain coupling said motor to said basket, a clutch in said drive trainselectively engageable by said circuit to connect said motor to saidbasket to effect spin of the latter, said circuit efiecting operation ofsaid liquid. removal means in response to programmer spin instructionsthereby lowering said tub liquid level, said programmer preparing saidcircuit by said spin instructions to engage said clutch upon saidpressure switch first contact being actuated, and supplemental pressurecreating means connected to said pressure switch and coupled to saidprogrammer, said pressure creating means responsive to programmer spininstructions to apply an increased pressure to said pressure switch toinsure that said pressure switch second contact is actuated when thespin operation of the washer is started, said supplemental pressuremeans thereby requiring that said pressure switch move from its secondposition to its first position so that the spin drive clutch is engagedonly after said liquid removal means has lowered the tub liquid levelbelow a predetermined point.

5. In a control system for a washing machine having a tub for receivingand holding a liquid and a basket rotatably supported in the tub to forma container for :articles, the basket coupled to a motor through a drivetrain including a selectively operable brake to hold the basket duringagitation operation of the machine and a :selectively engageable clutchto efiect spin driving of the basket to extract wash or rinse water fromthe articles during spin operation of the machine, the combinationcomprising electrically responsive means for controlling feeding ofliquid into the tub, a pump driven by the motor for draining the tub, afluid circuit communicating with the tub and sensing changes in the tubliquid level by transducing the latter into proportional pressures, apres sure switch connected into said fluid circuit and having respectivefirst and second positions corresponding to selected .upper and lowerpressures in said fluid circuit, an

orifice dividing said fluid circuit into a tub side fluid circuit and apressure switch side fluid circuit, a dashpot connected into saidpressure switch side of said fluid circuit, a first solenoid operable torelease the brake, means coupling said brake solenoid to said dashpot, asecond solenoid operable to engage the clutch to drivingly connect themotor to the basket, an electrical source, an electrical circuit forcoupling said source to said liquid feed control means, to saidrespective brake and clutch solenoids and to the motor, a timer coupledto feed instructions into said electrical circuit, said timer programmedto prepare the circuit to effect sequential operations includingrespective wash and spin cycles, said pressure switch coupled to saidelectrical circuit and cooperating with said timer to control the tubliquid level during said wash cycle and control engagement of the clutchduring said spin cycle, said switch operating said liquid feeding meansduring said wash cycle permitting liquid input when in said firstposition and stopping liquid flow upon moving to said second position,said electrical circuit actuating said brake solenoid in response tospin instructions from said timer thereby operating said dashpot toincrease pressure on said pressure switch, said electrical circuitenergizing said motor and operating said pump coupled thereto inresponse to timer spin instructions so as to remove the liquid from saidtub permitting said fluid circuit pressure to bleed down and saidpressure switch to return to its first position, said timer preparingsaid electrical circuit during said spin cycle to energize said clutchsolenoid upon said pressure switch returning to its first position, saidincreased pressure from said dashpot setting said pressure switch in itssecond position thereby permitting it to return to its first positiononly after said tub liquid level is lowered below a predetermined pointinsuring that said clutch is engaged for spin drive of the basket withthe tube substantially empty of liquid.

6. The combination of claim 5 and including means in said dashpotresponsive to manual return of said programmer from spin to wash toinsure return of said pressure switch to said first position so as tooperate said liquid feeding means to fill the tub to the selected liquidlevel.

7. In a control system for a washing machine having a tub for receivingand holding a liquid and a basket rotatably supported in the tub to forma container for articles, the basket coupled to a motor through a drivetrain to spin the basket and extract wash liquid from the articles, thecombination comprising an electrical source, a circuit energized by saidelectrical source and coupled to the motor to efiect selective drivingof the basket through said drive train, means coupled to said circuitfor controlling liquid input into the tub, means coupled to said circuitfor sensing the liquid level in the tub, said circuit responsive to apredetermined level of liquid being sensed in the tub to actuate saidliquid input control means and stop liquid flow, a programmer coupled tosaid circuit for transmitting spin instructions to said circuit, meanscoupled to said circuit for removing liquid from the tub, means in saidcircuit responsive to said programmer spin instructions for initiatingoperation of said liquid removal means to lower the liquid level in thetub, means in the drive train selectively operable by said circuit todrivingly couple the motor and basket, said circuit responsive to anindication of a predetermined low liquid level by the level sensingmeans to couple said drive train means for basket spin drive, and safetymeans coupled to said liquid level sensing means and responsive toprogrammer spin instructions to simulate a high liquid level condition.

8. In a washing machine the combination comprising a tub for receivingand holding a liquid, a basket rotatably supported in the tub andforming a container for clothes and the like, an agitator mounted insaid basket for agitating clothes, a motor, first and second drivetrains coupling '17 said motor to said agitator and basket respectively,an electrical source, a circuit energized by said electrical source andcoupled to said motor to effect selective driving of said agitatorthrough said first drive train and said basket through said second drivetrain, means coupled to said circuit for controlling liquid input intosaid tub, means coupled to said circuit for sensing the liquid level insaid tub and operable between respective tub empty and tub filledpositions, said circuit responsive to said sensing means in said tubempty position to operate said liquid control means to feed liquid intosaid tub and responsive to said sensing means in said tub filledposition to operate said liquid control means to stop liquid input, amanually operable programmer coupled to said circuit for transmittingWash and spin instructions to said circuit, said circuit responsive toWash instructions from said programmer to energize said motor and effectoperation of said first drive means to drive said agitator, meanscoupled to said circuit for removing liquid from said tub, a clutch insaid second drive means selectively operable by said circuit todrivingly couple said motor and basket, means in said circuit responsiveto said liquid level sensing means returning to said tub empty positionfrom said tub filled position to engage said clutch, means responsive tomanual advance of said programmer to spin operation during tub fillingto insure that said sensing means is actuated to said tub filledposition and responsive to manual return of said programmer to Washoperation after a premature advance to spin operation to insure returnof said sensing means to said tub empty position.

No references cited.

WALTER A. SCHEEL, Primary Examiner.

7. IN A CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A WASHING MACHINE HAVING A TUB FOR RECEIVING AND HOLDING A LIQUID AND A BASKET ROTATABLY SUPPORTED IN THE TUB TO FORM A CONTAINER FOR ARTICLES, THE BASKET COUPLED TO A MOTOR THROUGH A DRIVE TRAIN TO SPIN THE BASKET AND EXTRACT WASH LIQUID FROM THE ARTICLES, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING AN ELECTRICAL SOURCE, A CIRCUIT ENERGIZED BY SAID ELECTRICAL SOURCE AND COUPLED TO THE MOTOR TO EFFECT SELECTIVE DRIVING OF THE BASKET THROUGH SAID DRIVE TRAIN, MEANS COUPLED TO SAID CIRCUIT FOR CONTROLLING LIQUID INPUT INTO THE TUB, MEANS COUPLED TO SAID CIRCUIT FOR SENSING THE LIQUID LEVEL IN THE TUB, SAID CIRCUIT RESPONSIVE TO A PREDETERMINED LEVEL OF LIQUID BEING SENSED IN THE TUB TO ACTUATE SAID LIQUID INPUT CONTROL MEANS AND STOP LIQUID FLOW, A PROGRAMMER COUPLED TO SAID CIRCUIT FOR TRANSMITTING SPIN INSTRUCTIONS TO SAID CIRCUIT, MEANS COUPLED TO SAID CIRCUIT FOR REMOVING LIQUID FROM THE TUB, MEANS IN SAID CIRCUIT RESPONSIVE TO SAID PROGRAMMER SPIN INSTRUCTIONS FOR INITATING OPERATION OF SAID LIQUID REMOVAL MEANS TO LOWER THE LIQUID LEVEL IN THE TUB, MEANS IN THE DRIVE TRAIN SELECTIVELY OPERABLE BY SAID CIRCUIT TO DRIVINGLY COUPLE THE MOTOR AND BASKET, SAID CIRCUIT RESPONSIVE TO AN INDICATION OF A PREDETERMINED LOW LIQUID LEVEL BY THE LEVEL SENSING MEANS TO COUPLE SAID DRIVE TRAIN MEANS FOR BASKET SPIN DRIVE, AND SAFETY MEANS COUPLED TO SAID LIQUID SENSING MEANS AND RESPONSIVE TO PROGRAMMER SPIN INSTRUCTIONS TO SIMULATE A HIGH LIQUID LEVEL CONDITION. 